PHS track stars are setting records and putting their names in the ranks to be remembered

ten records.
“It’s great to work with this great of a team. I
always have so much fun with everybody,” Tate
Track is not only a team sport, it is a group said.
of individuals working together to produce one
The list goes on, with stars like senior Ryan
great outcome.
Galloway on hurdles. He is top 15 in the county,
“The 2012 Poway Track and Field team is off and is very helpful in leading the group of
to a great start. We opened league competition hurdlers.
with a home meet vs Torrey Pines,” head coach
Last but not least, senior Emily Mendoza is
Phil Burian said.
the second best poll vaulter in PHS history with
Sprints are a one sure strong point for the a personal record of 11 ft. and 9 in.
Titans this year, as
Thanks to the
athletes in the senior
students of 2012
It’s great to work with
class have been
and past alumni, high
this great of a team. I standards have been
changing the record
always have so much set for next year’s
books.
fun with everybody.” senior class. It will
Senior
Cecily
//Tiffany Tate
Gilson, who is in the
be tough to beat the
top ten for 100, 200,
records being made,
400 meter, ran at extraordinary speeds of 12.57 set or broken by this year’s graduating seniors.
and 25.83 seconds at the Mt. Carmel invitational.
Due to all of the hard work from the track
Also, senior Evan Grey holds the PHS record and ﬁeld team at the meet on March 28, Poway
for both the 100 and 200 sprints.
came out on top and some personal records
Distance runner Eric Hayen is currently were reached.
number four in the all time PHS 800 meter
In pole vaulting especially, many athletes
history. “He is very versatile athlete,” Burian went above and beyond. Senior Emily Mendoza
said.
placed ﬁrst for the girls. Junior Sean Poole hit a
Jumpers Tiffany Tate and Dillion McMahon personal record at 13 ft. 6 in., Charlie Bush hit
are both PHS’ frogs, holding places in the top his at 13 ft. and Erich Mourey at 12 ft. 6 in.
TORI MORIN
Sports Editor

Dashing: The Poway Titan track team has a strong roster this season.
One contributer, Senior Eric Hayen, is currently ranked fourth in PHS
TORI MORIN // The Iliad
history for the 800 meter race.

Upcoming
track
events:

Arcadia Invitational

Jaguar Invitational

Mt. Carmel

april 14 @ Kit carson park, TBA

April 18 @ Mt. Carmel, 3:15

Westview

Mt. SAC Relays

Mustang Relays

April 4 @ Arcadia, 9:30 AM

april 11 @ Westview, 3:15 Pm

Rugby on the rise
PHS students take up an uncommon sport
MADISON CHAPMAN
Business Manager

Letterman jackets around campus
serve as emblems of a varsity athlete’s
athletic successes. Around campus,
jackets represent football, soccer,
lacrosse, swim, and many other sports
included in Poway’s varsity club. But
what about those who never don a jacket,
yet still engage in rigorous training and
intense team competitions? These are
the little-known members of the Poway
Youth Rugby Club, many of whom
attend Poway High.
A sport with a rich history, rugby
began gaining popularity in Europe in
the 1800’s, and came to America only
slightly after.
With many similarities to football and
lacrosse, rugby is a fast-paced game with
a generally high scoring rate. Players
coordinate with each other to make
plays, and, with an “everyone is a running
back” mentality, all athletes on the ﬁeld
are involved in each play.
Additionally, rugby may be considered

“

one of the more dangerous sports;
players put themselves at great risk by
not wearing pads in a quickly-moving
game where there are no play breaks, a
running clock, and ruthless tackles.
Collin Jung is among the Poway
students who participates in this unique
sport. In his second season, Jung has
competed with the club against teams like
Torrey Pines, Oceanside, San Pasqual,
and Fallbrook. “Rugby is a gentleman’s
sport,” Jung stated. “It is about hardhitting endurance and toughness, but also
about brotherhood and respect. You get
really close to the people on your team.”
However, for students interested in
playing rugby yet who also want to letter
in a varsity sport, it is possible to have the
best of both worlds. Digger Vineyard is
amongst these students. Vineyard took
his rugby talents to play for Del Norte’s
club, which is run through the school,
after playing for the Poway club.
“Rugby is a fun contact sport that
requires a lot of athleticism,” said
Vineyard. “I really just wanted to try
something different.”

gray
&
all the way

april 14 @ SAn Antonio College, 9:00 AM

April 21 @ Otay Ranch, 8:30

green

Titan athletes represent PHS outside of San Diego

girls’ lacrosse

destination: San Fransisco, Calif.
The girls’ lacrosse team will be ﬂying into
San Francisco on Tues., April 3 to play against
St. Ignatius high school and on Wed., April 4
against Menlo High school.
Traveling to San Francisco has been a
tradition for the team which has developed
into rivalry over the years with the Northern
California teams.
“It is something that we look forward to
every year,” varsity coach Sarah Spillet said.
“It’s great team bonding and always helps us

without team chemistry.”
This year the team is looking forward to
their rematch against St. Ignatius after they
fell in overtime at the last year’s game. Spillet
is hoping for improvement and for the team
to get stronger.
The team is in good odds so far with a
season record of 5-1.
“I’m stoked; it’s a great opportunity and
my team is hilarious. I know we’ll have a good
time,” sophomore Claire Amabile said.

boys’ volleyball

destination: Waikiki, Hawaii
Varsity boys’ volleyball visited Waikiki,
Hawaii on March 22 to participate in Iolani
High School’s Hawaii Boys’ invitational.
The team alternates hosting and visting the
invitational every other year.
The trip to the invitational was intended
to bring the team closer together. “We had
a lot of fun and had a strong team intensity,”
varsity coach Charlie Jackson said.
Two key players in the tournament were
four-year varsity letterman, Josh Lake, and
UCLA commit, Jack Hughson.

Together the team bonded, and although
they didn’t do as well as they hoped for, they
grew stronger as a team. “It was to have a
shared experience and it brings the closer
together,” Jackson said.
The team has one of the hardest schedules
in San Diego, playing the toughest teams in
the beginning of their season, according to
Jackson, with a 7 to 9 record so far in the
season. He hopes that the schedule will
prepare the team for when league comes
around.

Iliad11

PHS students take up an uncommon sport Titan athletes represent PHS outside of San Diego PHS track stars are setting records and putting their names in the ranks to be remembered Westview Mustang Relays Mt. Carmel Mt. SAC Relays Arcadia Invitational Jaguar Invitational It’s great to work with this great of a team. I always have so much fun with everybody.” ~ Compiled by Brenda Martinez-Gonzalez // Tiffany Tate MADISON CHAPMAN Business Manager april 14 @ SAn Antonio College, 9:00 AM